Need advice!!! White flash vs local jeweler

[unleash10]

I need help deciding between a local jeweler and white flash. The local jeweler has gia certified diamonds that are actually cheaper for the same carat, color, clarity. The difference is that the local jeweler only has excellent cut diamonds and no ideal cuts like whiteflash aca. I have a diamond im looking at in whiteglash that cost 3400. The local jeweler has the one for 2400 for same carat clarity and color. The difference is cut . The wf diamond is aca and hearts amd arrow while the other is an excelleny cut. I am not even sure what the wf looks like in person. Should i try buying it just so i can do a side by side comparison?

 

[Christina...]

can you get the dimensions off the report from your local BM? Thats the only way we will be able to give you an opinion. Also, ACA diamonds are graded by AGS, their top cut grade is ideal, GIA does not have an ideal cut grade, they call their top grade excellent, so it is just a difference in terminology. But get the report # and post it and we can give you an idea of which way to go.

 

[unleash10]

Will the cut be significantly different to the naked eye? Even assuming poor dimensions on the gia diamond? Is it worth the $1000 difference in pirce? I will try to get dimensions

 

[Christina...]

Having a diamond graded and AGS0 does not necessarily mean that the stone is a better cut than a GIA excellent, both labs grade cut based on similar proportions, GIAs are just a bit wider, some say too wide and thats why knowing all the dimensions is necessary. AGS also already grades their diamonds for light performance and GIA does not, so it's important to have other tools available when shopping GIA online, such as using the HCA and have IS images. But like you said you will also have the opportunity to evaluate this stone in person next to many other excellent cuts and your eyes will tell you what you need to know.

The other difference between AGS ideal and GIA excellent is that a diamonds polish and symmetry must both be excellent in order to receive the AGS0 grade, and this isn't the case with GIA who accepts very good in both categories. These are not differences that you will notice with the naked eye though, and a well cut diamond shouldn't be rejected because of a grade of VG on either of these.

 

[Alexiszoe]

unleash10,

I would suggest that you buy the WF one and compare it to the one at your jeweler under different lighting conditions to see if it makes a difference for you.

When I bought my first e-ring, I got it from a vendor here who was well known for super ideal-cuts akin to the quality at WF, which I paid a premium for. A year later I was shopping for a friend of mine with a smaller budget and I went through another vendor here who handpicked some GIA excellent cut diamonds for me around the 1 carat-ish range, which were cheaper than the super ideal cuts the other vendor offered in the same size. I was able to view all these diamonds in person, and for me the trade off in terms of price vs beauty for the excellent vs super ideal was not worth it. However, for others who have a more sensitive eye than mine towards cut and can be able to pick up the nuances in cut or are cut-nuts might have made a different choice, so it's really up to what you think is the most important for you.

 

[greenm75]

Just remember that if you buy the WF ring, and return it, then you will be refunded the original less the original shipping and the Certified Mail return, probably around $100 combined. Just saying, I did this recently and did not know about the shipping costs. In the end, i couldnt tell the difference between a GIA XXX G/SI1 0.91 and a AGS 000 Expert select 0.931 F/VS2 in terms of sparkle. It made more of a dillemma for me, considering the cost difference was $1500.

 

[unleash10]

$100 dollars to look at a ring is a bit too pricy for me.... I think i will just go with my local jeweler .